Front Office

Charles Norris is an entrepreneur, investor, and professional hockey owner whose leadership is driven by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and long-term growth. As an owner of multiple Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) franchises, The Fayetteville Marksmen, The Macon Mayhem, and a minority owner of a North American Hockey League (NAHL) team in Corpus Christi, Texas, he is dedicated to strengthening the game at every level while creating organizations that players, fans, and communities are proud to support.

A U.S. Army veteran, Charles built his career through determination, hard work, and a relentless focus on delivering results. His business background spans real estate development, construction, and private investment, where he has successfully developed hundreds of residential properties and led numerous business ventures. That same hands-on approach now shapes his philosophy in professional hockey.

Charles believes winning organizations are built on accountability, first-class customer experiences, strong community partnerships, and a culture that empowers players and staff to reach their full potential. His vision extends beyond success on the ice—he is committed to building franchises that become lasting pillars of their communities while providing an exciting, affordable, and family-friendly entertainment experience.

Originally from the Detroit area and now based in North Carolina, Charles enjoys working alongside talented hockey professionals who share his passion for growing the sport. He and his wife, Lanai, have been married for more than twenty years and are proud parents of three children. As he continues to expand his involvement in professional hockey, Charles remains focused on creating organizations that reflect integrity, ambition, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

The 2025-26 season will be Lanai’s ninth with the Marksmen. As the Chief Financial Officer, Lanai oversees the financial aspects of the team-including budget items, revenue, and payments for both the front office and hockey operations department.

Lanai lives in Charlotte with her husband, Chuck, and their three children, Chucky, Lilly, and Khloe.

The 2025-26 season will be Alex Wall’s sixth with the Marksmen, and his third full season serving as President after a promotion in February 2022.

Previously with Feld Entertainment, Wall was responsible for cultivating business partnerships around some of the world’s most iconic live shows. Before that, he spent five seasons leading partnerships and marketing for two highly-successful ECHL franchises – the Orlando Solar Bears and Jacksonville Icemen.

A Tampa, Fla. native, Wall graduated from Stetson University (DeLand, Fla.), where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management and Marketing. Wall lives in Fayetteville with his wife Suzanne and their sons, Jacob and Matthew.

The 2025-26 season will be Denise Cline’s seventh with the Fayetteville Marksmen, working as the merchandise manager.

A native of Fayetteville, Cline is a graduate of Terry Sanford High School and studied at Fayetteville Technical Community College. In the 2018-19 season, Cline completely overhauled the merchandise approach for the Marksmen, leading to new and attractive apparel being constantly available for fans.

The 2025-26 season will be Joey Huot’s fifth with the Marksmen. Huot was promoted in March 2024 to director of season tickets after serving two-and-a-half years as an account executive.

A 2018 Central Michigan University graduate, Joey majored in broadcast & cinematic arts and received a minor in both sport management and journalism. Originally from the metro-Detroit area, Huot had stops in both the Frontier League (baseball) with the Evansville Otters and the Federal Prospects Hockey League with the Motor City Rockers.

Huot will oversee season ticket sales for the Marksmen while creating the best possible experiences for season ticket holders, and all attendees at the Crown Complex, whether it’s their first or 100th time.

Huot resides in Fayetteville with his wife Brandy, dogs Maple and Milo, and several other exotic pets!

Shawn Rose is entering his fourth year with the Fayetteville Marksmen, and the first as Manager of Group Tickets and Operations.

Rose, a native of Virginia Beach, Va. was previously a history teacher in Danville and Virginia Beach, Va.

Growing up playing hockey for his hometown youth organization, the Hampton Roads Admirals, Rose would parlay his playing experience into a career in juniors with the New Jersey Wildcats. While in New Jersey, Rose graduated from Parsippany Hills High School.

Longing to return home, Rose enrolled at Radford University and played three years of club hockey for the Highlanders. In 2016, Rose graduated with a degree in social science.

Rose now resides in Hope Mills with his wife, Ellen.

Zack Nelson is entering his first full season with the Marksmen front office staff as the team’s Director of Corporate Partnerships.

Nelson was born and raised in Winston-Salem, N.C. He has made a career in Corporate Partnerships gaining experience at the collegiate level in The Citadel and Murray State University athletic departments. Facilitating partnerships between the University, Nelson also ran several NCAA D-1 Baseball Tournaments that took place around the US prior to joining the Marksmen.

As a Western Carolina University graduate, Zack and his wife Savannah were excited to be back in North Carolina. Nelson is an avid Carolina Panthers fan and will talk with anyone who asks about them. Zack and Savannah reside with their dog Aspen in Fayetteville.

The 2026-27 season will be Aaron Freeman’s first season with the Marksmen.

Prior to the Marksmen, Freeman worked with Playfly Sports as the Director of Ticket Sales and Service at Campbell University from April 2023-June 2026.

Before his time at Campbell, Freeman worked as the Box Office Manager of the Crown Complex (2021-23) and in Minor League Baseball with the Carolina Mudcats (2014-15, 17-19) as a Group Sales Associate and with the Charlotte Knights (2019-20) as their Senior Account Executive. He also worked with IMG Learfield at Duke University (2015-17) as an Account Executive, focusing on season tickets, group tickets and mini plans for football and women’s basketball.

A Fayetteville native, Freeman graduated from NC State in 2013 with a degree in Sport Management. He currently resides in Fayetteville with his wife, Cynthia, and two sons, Connor and Wyatt.

Semler is a graduate of High Point University where he earned both a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management (minor in sales) and a master’s degree in communications and business leadership. As a student athlete, he pitched for the HPU Club Baseball team for 5 years and helped them make school history ranking as high as #3 in the country which earned them a trip to the NNCBA College World Series.

While attending Avon Old Farms prep school in Connecticut, Semler really gained an appreciation for the sport of hockey. The school is famous for producing legendary hockey players such as Nick Bonino and Jonathan Quick, and hockey was a big part of day-to-day life for all the students.

As an avid sports fan growing up in Rhode Island, he is a New York Yankees, NE Patriots, and a Carolina Hurricanes fan. The 2025-2026 season will be Semler Dieterich’ s first season with the Fayetteville Marksmen, working as a ticket account executive.

Jacob was born in Maryville, TN before moving to Oregon, Texas, and South Carolina. He is joining the Marksmen for his first season in January 2026.

He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in Sports Management. Started working in sports as an Assistant Basketball Coach at Carolina High School before getting a master’s degree in Sports Management at East Tennessee State University. While at ETSU, he played two seasons on the club basketball team, and also gained experience in professional sports in ticket sales with an internship with the Kingsport Axmen minor league baseball team.

As a passionate sports fan, Jacob is an avid supporter of the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Vikings. He currently resides in Fayetteville.

Dylan was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, where a strong sense of of resilience, hard work and community helped shape who he is. Growing up in the motor city gave him an appreciation for perseverance and authenticity, values he carries into every aspect of his life. Proud of his Detroit roots, Dylan brings a straightforward, determined approach to everything he does while always looking for opportunities to grow and make a positive impact.

As a big sports fan, Dylan is a diehard Detroit Pistons supporter. The 2026-2027 season will be Dylan’s first season with the Marksmen. He currently resides in Fayetteville

Abby Sugg joined the Mayhem organization in October 2025 as the Social Media & Creative Coordinator. A native of Covington, Georgia, she is a proud Georgia Bulldogs fan and a 2024 graduate of Mercer University, where she earned a degree in graphic design while contributing to the Mercer football program.

After graduation, Sugg spent two years in Hammond, Louisiana, working as a photographer and social media specialist for Southeastern Louisiana Football and North Oaks Health System. She later earned her master’s degree in Sports Marketing and Media from Liberty University in 2026.

In 2026, Sugg transitioned within the organization to become the Director of Social Media & Marketing for both the Fayetteville Marksmen and the Macon Mayhem.

When she’s not at the rink, Abby enjoys spending time with friends and family—and hanging out with her golden retriever, Maverick.

This is Aidan’s first season with the Marksmen, bringing prior experience from his role on the Game Presentation Team for the Savannah Ghost Pirates, where he was part of the group honored with the 2024 ECHL Award for Best Game Presentation.

He holds a degree in Film and Television from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Aidan is passionate about creating engaging, high-energy environments that elevate the fan experience. Aidan also works as a freelance documentary editor. His most recent project, Real Fake War, a film about veteran PTSD, is currently touring festivals across the United States.

A Raleigh native, he currently resides in Fayetteville and is a dedicated supporter of the Carolina Hurricanes and Baltimore Ravens.

The 2025-26 season will be Scott Cline’s eighth full season with the Fayetteville Marksmen, in the roles of game day coordinator and producing all in-arena sounds as the DJ.

A native of Fayetteville, Cline is a graduate of Cape Fear High School and studied at Fayetteville Technical Community College. The 2017-18 season was a return to post for “DJ Hitz The Mark”, who had previously worked with hockey in Fayetteville as DJ / game day staff for the CHL’s Fayetteville Force in the late 90s.